The Metropolitan Transportation Authority conductor was sitting on a bench at the southbound platform for No. 2, 4 and 5 trains at 149th Street and Grand Concourse in the Bronx when the suspect randomly approached him and slapped him in the face, MTA worker Tina Smith told ABC New York station WABC.

The pair then engaged in a physical fight, and the suspect stabbed the MTA worker several times in the shoulder and torso, WABC reported. The 33-year-old conductor was able to hold the suspect, identified as 20-year-old Walter Rivera, down until police arrived and took him into custody.

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The 149th Street and Grand Concourse subway entrance in New York.

Rivera was charged with assault and criminal possession of a weapon, according to WABC.